New Brunswick's new lieutenant-governor promises to focus on education

CP

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's new lieutenant-governor says she will make literacy and education her priorities during her five-year term.

Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau was sworn-in as New Brunswick's 31st lieutenant-governor on Thursday.

The former vice-president of the University of Moncton's Shippagan campus was named to the post by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in August during the World Acadian Congress.

Roy-Vienneau was a project engineer with Imperial Oil before holding several academic postings.

She also served as assistant deputy minister of post-secondary education with the provincial Education Department and director-general of the New Brunswick Community College in Bathurst.

"I hope to visit as many schools in New Brunswick, and meet as many students, teachers and parents as I can," Roy-Vienneau said during her speech at the provincial legislature.

She said she will also advocate for greater understanding and education about mental health issues.

"It is time for us to be more vocal, to be boastful and to be proud — New Brunswick proud," she said.

Roy-Vienneau replaces Graydon Nicholas, the first aboriginal in the province to be named to the post representing the monarch.

Premier Brian Gallant congratulated Roy-Vienneau on her new role and thanked her and Nicholas for their dedication to the province.

Gallant also commented on the tragedy in Ottawa that left a reservist and a gunman dead Wednesday.

The incident has prompted greater security at the New Brunswick legislature, but Gallant said it was important to go ahead with the ceremony for the lieutenant-governor and the swearing-in ceremony Friday for members of the legislature.

"It's a good day to do this in terms of showing people how important democracy is and to show people that we're going to continue to live our lives the way we have been living it and continue to talk and discuss about the future of our province and our country," he said.